Raising Arizona - 1967 Jaguar content
- berlinbetty
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Raising Arizona - 1967 Jaguar content
Well, she's here! And first and foremost, I'd like to give a big shout out to the Guitar Center of Tempe, AZ for shipping a $1200 guitar without feeling that there was a need for anyone to sign for it! When I came home this evening expecting to find a slip telling me to go to the warehouse to pick up my package, I instead found my vintage Jaguar sitting outside on my front stoop getting snowed on! Granted, it was in a well-packed cardboard box, but I was still a little bummed to come home to just what I was afraid might happen. Maybe a strongly worded letter to the Guitar Center is in order.
Anyhoo, right out of the box, it's closer to sookwinder's cane toad burst than it appeared in the original picture. I figured in real life it would be close to the faded 60's burst in the Dressing Room. Nope, cane toad! And if it's refinished that way, it's an old job because that finish looks every bit like it's forty years old! VERY nice checking with a chip here and there, however, but I can live with that! I wanted a relic and that's what I got!
I also wanted a project and that's definitely what I got! A vintage Jaguar, for less than the price of a brand new AVRI, you really don't get your hopes up. The neck is straight and very close to the feel of my Mustang (as I was hoping it would be if you read the "Vintage Neck Comparison" thread) so I'm happy there!
Now for the bad news. If you thought STOCK Jaguar wiring was complicated, you should see what Arizona's LAST boyfriend did to her! I haven't cracked open the pickguard yet, but here's what I've found so far just from playing around with her.
1. On very first inspection, the bridge pickup did not work. Bummer, but not the end of the world.
2. The volume and tone on the main circuit were scratchy, but worked. The tone may even need a new resistor as it didn't have a very even sweep.
3. Whether the rhythm switch (which was replaced with a toggle switch) is up or down, the volume and tone on the main circuit control the neck pickup along with the volume on the rhythm side. They all work, all the time.
4. This is where I had some good news, but still weird. When adjusting the rhythm tone control, I realised that it was a volume control for the bridge pickup! The bridge pickup DOES work as long as the rhythm tone control is up! It took me five minutes of monkeying around with her to get just the right combination to figure this out.
5. I have a suspicion the pickups are AVRI. They appear to be beveled and are not staggered. Am I correct that by 66 or 67 the poles would be staggered?
6. The picture that was on the Guitar Center website shows a trem arm hanging. There was no trem arm that I could find in the case OR the box it shipped in. I'm definitely going to have to call Tempe!
This is just the initial post upon receiving and checking out Arizona. Pics and more info to follow. And, hence forth, cane toad burst will now be known as "desert burst"!!!
B&B Jaguar with Jazzmaster pickguard at GC $1,200
Anyhoo, right out of the box, it's closer to sookwinder's cane toad burst than it appeared in the original picture. I figured in real life it would be close to the faded 60's burst in the Dressing Room. Nope, cane toad! And if it's refinished that way, it's an old job because that finish looks every bit like it's forty years old! VERY nice checking with a chip here and there, however, but I can live with that! I wanted a relic and that's what I got!
I also wanted a project and that's definitely what I got! A vintage Jaguar, for less than the price of a brand new AVRI, you really don't get your hopes up. The neck is straight and very close to the feel of my Mustang (as I was hoping it would be if you read the "Vintage Neck Comparison" thread) so I'm happy there!
Now for the bad news. If you thought STOCK Jaguar wiring was complicated, you should see what Arizona's LAST boyfriend did to her! I haven't cracked open the pickguard yet, but here's what I've found so far just from playing around with her.
1. On very first inspection, the bridge pickup did not work. Bummer, but not the end of the world.
2. The volume and tone on the main circuit were scratchy, but worked. The tone may even need a new resistor as it didn't have a very even sweep.
3. Whether the rhythm switch (which was replaced with a toggle switch) is up or down, the volume and tone on the main circuit control the neck pickup along with the volume on the rhythm side. They all work, all the time.
4. This is where I had some good news, but still weird. When adjusting the rhythm tone control, I realised that it was a volume control for the bridge pickup! The bridge pickup DOES work as long as the rhythm tone control is up! It took me five minutes of monkeying around with her to get just the right combination to figure this out.
5. I have a suspicion the pickups are AVRI. They appear to be beveled and are not staggered. Am I correct that by 66 or 67 the poles would be staggered?
6. The picture that was on the Guitar Center website shows a trem arm hanging. There was no trem arm that I could find in the case OR the box it shipped in. I'm definitely going to have to call Tempe!
This is just the initial post upon receiving and checking out Arizona. Pics and more info to follow. And, hence forth, cane toad burst will now be known as "desert burst"!!!
B&B Jaguar with Jazzmaster pickguard at GC $1,200
Last edited by berlinbetty on Thu Jan 17, 2008 7:32 pm, edited 1 time in total.
One more guitar, then I'll practice!
- bubbles_horwitz
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Re: Raising Arizona
mid-60s pickups should be staggered and dated on the bottom.
- RumorsOFsurF
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Re: Raising Arizona
Sounds pretty cool! I actually kind of like it the way it is...
You really should harass GC about the trem arm, and crummy shipping practices.
You really should harass GC about the trem arm, and crummy shipping practices.
Damn kids, get off my lawn!
- berlinbetty
- PAT. # 2.972.923
- Posts: 1995
- Joined: Wed Nov 22, 2006 8:57 am
- Location: Harrisburg, Pennsylvania
Re: Raising Arizona
Holy cow, you guys are quick. I just came in right after posting this to do some editing and it already had two responses! Nolan, you really are here WAY too much!!
One more guitar, then I'll practice!
- OffYourFace
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Re: Raising Arizona
That's usually more of a pot issue than the cap. For some reason they used linear pots for the Jaguar lead ckt. tone control. Get an Audio pot and it'll give you the sweep you want. (Jazzmaster's have an Audio tone pot)The tone may even need a new resistor as it didn't have a very even sweep.
I hope you get your whammy bar!
- berlinbetty
- PAT. # 2.972.923
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Re: Raising Arizona - 1967 Jaguar content
Okay, some pics from the initial tear-down...
When I called the guitar center, I asked if it came with a case. They said they weren't sure, but if it didn't they'd dig one up for me. If this isn't the original case, it's a pretty good match considering the condition...
This was just a general picture I took of the whole guitar, but it's the best shot I could get of the headstock without a glare.
Here's a shot underneath the pickguard...showing her tan lines. It's definitely the original finish, just faded in an odd way. While I was waiting on it to arrive, I tried to make up a version of it in the Dressing Room and, based on the original GC picture I used the faded 60's burst, but in real life, it almost looks like Antigua!
Here's why I think the pickups are AVRI. If it wasn't for the beveled poles, I'd be worried that they were Japanese! The pup covers look original, too. Also, a shot of the bridge and you can see that the mute slug and spring are intact. That was a pleasant surprise...
The volume pot is a 500k and definitely a replacement. The tone pot looks original. Not sure about the jack... I was surprised that the control route is just big enough for the pots to fit in and not much more! And more tan lines!!!
The trem cavity. I've included pics of the top and bottom of the trem arm bushing. Is that what it's supposed to look like? I know what the AVRI bushing looks like and this is nothing like that...
The neck is dated '66, but according to the Guitar Nucleus website, the serial # on the neck plate puts it somewhere in '67 so I'm going with that. When I tuned up the guitar (it came detuned) to check the playability, I noticed how new the frets looked! I figured it must've just had a refret! When I took the neck off I found a decal with, what I assume would be, the tech's name!
There was no trem arm in the case, but there WAS one of these things. Anyone know what it is?
Arizona topless! When I first bought my Jazzmaster, I also bought Jag plates that I was going to stick on it. But when I found out I'd need a new rhythm control bracket (smaller than the JM's) and the wiring on the JM pots wouldn't reach the holes for the Jag plate (this was before I learned soldering) I scrapped the idea. So the plates have been rattling around in my parts drawer for over a year and now they look the part! The only bummer here is that the one piece pickguard that was on it was bigger than the plates, so there are "unfaded areas" sticking out from underneath.
I'm going to figure on keeping the pickups I have now and see what comes up in the future. I am anxious to hear the bridge pickup NOT filtered through a 50k mini-pot!
When I called the guitar center, I asked if it came with a case. They said they weren't sure, but if it didn't they'd dig one up for me. If this isn't the original case, it's a pretty good match considering the condition...
This was just a general picture I took of the whole guitar, but it's the best shot I could get of the headstock without a glare.
Here's a shot underneath the pickguard...showing her tan lines. It's definitely the original finish, just faded in an odd way. While I was waiting on it to arrive, I tried to make up a version of it in the Dressing Room and, based on the original GC picture I used the faded 60's burst, but in real life, it almost looks like Antigua!
Here's why I think the pickups are AVRI. If it wasn't for the beveled poles, I'd be worried that they were Japanese! The pup covers look original, too. Also, a shot of the bridge and you can see that the mute slug and spring are intact. That was a pleasant surprise...
The volume pot is a 500k and definitely a replacement. The tone pot looks original. Not sure about the jack... I was surprised that the control route is just big enough for the pots to fit in and not much more! And more tan lines!!!
The trem cavity. I've included pics of the top and bottom of the trem arm bushing. Is that what it's supposed to look like? I know what the AVRI bushing looks like and this is nothing like that...
The neck is dated '66, but according to the Guitar Nucleus website, the serial # on the neck plate puts it somewhere in '67 so I'm going with that. When I tuned up the guitar (it came detuned) to check the playability, I noticed how new the frets looked! I figured it must've just had a refret! When I took the neck off I found a decal with, what I assume would be, the tech's name!
There was no trem arm in the case, but there WAS one of these things. Anyone know what it is?
Arizona topless! When I first bought my Jazzmaster, I also bought Jag plates that I was going to stick on it. But when I found out I'd need a new rhythm control bracket (smaller than the JM's) and the wiring on the JM pots wouldn't reach the holes for the Jag plate (this was before I learned soldering) I scrapped the idea. So the plates have been rattling around in my parts drawer for over a year and now they look the part! The only bummer here is that the one piece pickguard that was on it was bigger than the plates, so there are "unfaded areas" sticking out from underneath.
I'm going to figure on keeping the pickups I have now and see what comes up in the future. I am anxious to hear the bridge pickup NOT filtered through a 50k mini-pot!
Last edited by berlinbetty on Thu Jan 17, 2008 8:37 pm, edited 1 time in total.
One more guitar, then I'll practice!
- OffYourFace
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Re: Raising Arizona - 1967 Jaguar content
Cool! That's gonna be an awesome project I'll race you!
I think the pickups are Duncans... Is that cloth wiring or vinyl/plastic? If the latter, I'd say Duncans. Not Antiquities, but maybe the HOT model...
I think the pickups are Duncans... Is that cloth wiring or vinyl/plastic? If the latter, I'd say Duncans. Not Antiquities, but maybe the HOT model...
-
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Re: Raising Arizona - 1967 Jaguar content
How in the hell would it have faded that much? It must have lived by a big window that caught sun all day - for years.
"I enjoy the current state of offsetguitars hostility."
- berlinbetty
- PAT. # 2.972.923
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Re: Raising Arizona - 1967 Jaguar content
It's not cloth wiring. I didn't even think of that. There weren't any identifying marks on them, so it's hard to tell what they are...OffYourFace wrote: Cool! That's gonna be an awesome project I'll race you!
I think the pickups are Duncans... Is that cloth wiring or vinyl/plastic? If the latter, I'd say Duncans. Not Antiquities, but maybe the HOT model...
And I don't know how much of a race it's going to be. All I need is a switch plate, pickguard and a volume pot and I'm considering it done. I'll start off with repros and then add vintage as it comes along...
Last edited by berlinbetty on Tue Jan 29, 2008 6:07 am, edited 1 time in total.
One more guitar, then I'll practice!
- Offshat
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Re: Raising Arizona - 1967 Jaguar content
does the back look the same?whats with the collet,is it backwards?
- berlinbetty
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Re: Raising Arizona - 1967 Jaguar content
The back is pretty much the same as the front. I thought maybe the collet was in upside down but their aren't any teeth on it!
Thanks to almost choking in my sleep, I woke up at five thirty this morning. I tried for about five minutes to get back to sleep but I was wide awake! So I started cleaning up the wiring before I got ready for work. The guy that messed up Arizona sure was thorough. He (I'm assuming it was a he) would loop the wires through the terminals, twist it around itself and then solder it! So I was basically un-soldering and un-tying at the same time, using my iron as a spear to try to get through the knots! On one connection he had two wires going into the same terminal and tied around each other. I don't know how long I spent on that one, but I finally just ended up cutting them.
Thanks to almost choking in my sleep, I woke up at five thirty this morning. I tried for about five minutes to get back to sleep but I was wide awake! So I started cleaning up the wiring before I got ready for work. The guy that messed up Arizona sure was thorough. He (I'm assuming it was a he) would loop the wires through the terminals, twist it around itself and then solder it! So I was basically un-soldering and un-tying at the same time, using my iron as a spear to try to get through the knots! On one connection he had two wires going into the same terminal and tied around each other. I don't know how long I spent on that one, but I finally just ended up cutting them.
One more guitar, then I'll practice!
- fuzzking
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Re: Raising Arizona - 1967 Jaguar content
looks like a pretty good deal... and a great project!
Nobody exists on purpose.
- the older brother
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Re: Raising Arizona - 1967 Jaguar content
I second that.FUZZ_KING wrote: looks like a pretty good deal... and a great project!
The fading looks cool IMO.
Just realized how much good forum-reading there will be in the near future (= less done at work ) - thinking of all the great projects ongoing!
Someone knows where I can find the nearest woodchipper to throw my pieces of junk into?
- berlinbetty
- PAT. # 2.972.923
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Re: Raising Arizona - 1967 Jaguar content
A couple reasons why I liked sookwinder's jag and jumped on this one when I saw it...
I always liked that finish on Gibsons and thought it was a cool look for a Jag! I thought I was going to be alone on that, but it's nice to see the support!
I always liked that finish on Gibsons and thought it was a cool look for a Jag! I thought I was going to be alone on that, but it's nice to see the support!
One more guitar, then I'll practice!
- fullerplast
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Re: Raising Arizona - 1967 Jaguar content
Great project and good deal!
That case would be correct for a '67... logo with no tail (and the logo is almost always broken).
I was surprised to see the red under the guard, as I assumed it was a toad refin! It's still odd though, that there's little black under the guard at the bottom of the body. The red apparentyl went all the way to that thin black edge. I never heard of black disappearing, but red... yeah.
The plan to put it back right with RI parts and then take your time and look for good deals is a good one. Thanks for the good pics. This will be interesting to follow!
That case would be correct for a '67... logo with no tail (and the logo is almost always broken).
I was surprised to see the red under the guard, as I assumed it was a toad refin! It's still odd though, that there's little black under the guard at the bottom of the body. The red apparentyl went all the way to that thin black edge. I never heard of black disappearing, but red... yeah.
The plan to put it back right with RI parts and then take your time and look for good deals is a good one. Thanks for the good pics. This will be interesting to follow!
Q. Are we not men?